Late Shri Balavantbhai K. Parekh was well-known industrialist; a philanthropist and supporter of all good causes. He had been a supporter of the Indian Planetary Society since its inception in the year 2000. Smt. Kantaben Balwantbhai Parekh Mini Planetarium and the Smt. Kantaben Parekh Centre for popularization of Science owe their origin to generous donations made by Late. Shri Balavantbhai K. Parekh, in this honour IPS has instituted the Balvantbhai Parekh Gold Medal to be awarded to eminent personalities of India for their services to the country.

In this series, this year it was given to Professor S. M. Chitre, Academic Chairperson and Emeritus Professor, CBS, and INSA Honorary Scientist at the University of Mumbai.

The Welcome speech was delivered by Dr. B. G. Patel, Provost, CHARUSAT. He expressed happiness over the third gathering of Astrophysicists since MoU signing ceremony on 18th April, 2015 with IPS. He also added that, in first phase CHARUSAT has launched the M.sc in Astronomy and Astrophysics program from this academic year 2016-17. In future, he reiterated, B.Sc. Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics will be introduced.

Prof.S. M. Chitre delivered talk on “Frontiers of Astronomy and Astrophysics”, He remembered immense contributions of Indian Sages and Scientists in the fields Astronomy and astrophysics. He said that in earlier times, there were theoreticians who commanded the domain. Nowadays, after the introduction of technology, experiments have become crucial to all scientific theories.

In post lunch session, Prof. Manojendhu Chowdhary gave talk on “Multiwavelength view of X-Ray Universe with ASTROSAT”; Prof. Sanjeev Dhurandhar provided some ideas on “Einstein’s Centennial gift: The discovery of Gravitational Waves” and Prof. Anand SenGupta gave a talk on “Gravitational Waves”. These all talks proved very much helpful to the present audiences to explore their knowledge

Year 2015 is the Centenary year of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and it is also the Birth Centenary year of world renowned Astrophysicist Professor Sir Fred Hoyle. The Indian Planetary Society in collaboration with Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT) is starting from August 2015 Dr. Mohanbhai I. Patel Institute of Excellence in Astronomy-Astrophysics and Smt. Mangalaben Centre of Solar Studies and Solar Observatory wherein from this year, there will be M.Sc. (Astronomy-Astrophysics), Pre - Ph.D.(Astronomy-Astrophysics), Ph.D. and one year certificate correspondence course.
On the Occasions, the Indian Planetary Society in collaboration with Charotar University of Science and Technology has organized a Four –day international Conference on Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.
While welcoming the gathering of eminent scientists of India, U.K., U.S.A. and Iran Professor J. J. Rawal, Convener of the Conference and the President of the Indian Planetary Society-Mumbai said that he was happy to see many internationally reputed scientists and Doyens of Science and Technology had come to participate and address the Conference. He also explained the objectives of the Indian Planetary Society. He said that this had become possible due to generosity and vision of Surendrabhai Patel, the Hon’ble Chairman of the Charotar University of Science and Technology. This Charotar area and Gujarat will get benefitted as this Institute has come up here.
Shri Rajubhai Raval, one of the donors to the Indian Planetary Society refirmed his financial support to build the Solar Observatory in the Institute.

The main donor and the Chair-person of the Inaugural Function Dr. Mohanbhai Patel has expressed his happiness that eminent Astrophysicist like Professor J.V. Narlikar, Professor Chandra Wickramsinghe, Professor Peter Eggleton, and many young bright astrophysicists of India and abroad have come here to participate in the conference. He also shaded light on ancient Indian science of discoveries done by Aryabhata, Kanad, Baudhayan, Bhaskaracharya, Varahmihir and others.

Dr. B.G. Patel, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor (Provost) of the Charotar University in his address narrated the progress and activities of Charotar Univeristy of Science and Technology expressed his intense desire to develop the University and the Institute of Astronomy Astrophysics that has been set up in the Campus of Charusat. Former Director of University, Department of Chemical Technology, Padma Vibhushan, Former Adviser to Prime Minister, and world renowned Chemical technologist Professor M.M. Sharma congratulated Charotar University of Science and Technology and the Indian Planetary Society for coming together to set up a world –class Institute of Astronomy-Astrophysics where in there will be Star Telescope, Solar Telescope. This will enhance science and astronomy education in Charotar region in Gujarat and in India. This is first step to combine science and technology in true sense. Ultimately, we have to combine science and technology, then only there will be progress of India. Science is mother of all technologies. It is the bed-rock. He then stressed the importance of inter-disciplinary studies, integrated approach to knowledge and said that Breakthrough in science lies in interface of two branches of sciences. As the water cannot be compartmentalized so are Science and technology and all branches of Science.
Astronomy-Astrophysics - Space Science has enhanced chemistry and Life Sciences. Life Sciences have enhanced Astronomy-Astrophysics and space science. All kinds of fuels and glass, mirrors are the products of chemistry. The question that whether life exists elsewhere in the universe deals with Cosmos and life science.

World renowned astrophysicist and cosmologist Padma Vibhushan, Former adviser to Prime Minister, Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar giving Key-note address in the Conference gave full account of history and beginning of Einstein’s theories in India, pioneer scientists being Professors N.R. Sen, Meghnad Saha, Satyendranath Bose, B. Datta, Mahadev Dutta, Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar, P.C. Vaidya and others. In some way Indian scientists were first in getting some important results to enhance Einstein’s Theory.

On this Occasion Professor Jayant Narlikar was presented Gold Medal as award for his life-time achievement in Astrophysics and cosmology and popularizing science in the country. Professor Anamik Shah an eminent Chemist who is presently the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith was presented Late Shri Balvant K. Parekh Gold Medal for his significant research in chemistry .

To encourage popularization of science in the country, the Indian Planetary Society gives two awards, one is Late Journalist Manubhai Mehta Award and second Shri Sohanraj Shah Award. Manubhai Mehta Award was presented to eminent Journalist Shri Kundanbhai Vyas of Janmabhoomi Group of Newspaper and Shri Sohanraj Shah Award was presented to Shri Minesh Meghani populariser of Science working in a Regional Community Science Centre located at Race Course at Rajkot and run by Rajkot Municipal Corporation and Saurashtra Education Foundation.

At this Occasion two books were released ‘Virat Surya’ of the Indian Planetary Society at the hands of Prof. Peter Eggletan of California of USA and second was ‘Nabhe Haste Tare’ written by Dr. (Mrs.) Mangala Narlikar, Dr. Ajit Kembhavi and Prof. J.V. Narlikar which has been translated in gujarati by Dr. Shakuntala Nene of Rajkot.

Professor M.M. Sharma also inaugurated Beautiful Science and Astronomy Exhibition which was having 50 working models explaining various scientific principles, and depicting picture of Einstein and Professor Sir Fred Hoyle . This Real Star Education Exhibition will be set up at Taluka level in India with sole aim to popularize science among school children. This project has been initiated by Nav Bharat Sahitya Mandir a big name in publications with efforts of Shri Dhaval Ashok Shah of Nav Bharat Sahitya Mandir Publication House helped by Dhruvlal Sahani of the Indian Planetary Society contributed significantly in this Project.

Dr. J.J. Rawal
President
The Indian Planetary Society

Signing of MOU between IPS and Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT) on 17th April 2015 to setup Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Campus of CHARUSAT, Changa, Anand in Guajrat.

Dr. Mohanbhai I. Patel (D. Sc.) an eminent Industrialist and Ex-Sheriff of Mumbai visiting Indian Planetary Society's Kutch Centre at Bhuj. Kutchmitra District Community Science Centre recognized by Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) during January 2016.

News Item posted on 04-02-2016

IPS is proud to have such a talented Member, Master Yash Ganatra who has several achievements to his credit at such a tender age. Below are few of them:

1) He stood at 24th place in International Ranking in IMO (International Maths Olympiad) appearing for Class 2 (ie. Grade 2nd ) at Age 6 complete. ( We were unable to participate Yash in Rocket activity because of date clash of this exam.)

2) He stood at 63rd place in International Ranking in NSO (National Science Olympiad) appearing for Class 2.

3) Just for information that previous year appearing from Class 1, he was city 1st but stood at 28,491 place in International Ranking, which reflects amount of progress made.

4) Stood First in Hindi Story Telling competition in Doon School amoung Class 1 to Class 4.

Vacation Training Programme
on Bioresources for School Children
at Science City, Ahmedabad
during 4h to 30th April, 2015

The four-week training programme is designed for school students who are going to appear for Std X Gujarat board/CBSE board in this academic Year. The programme will focus on understanding the importance of bioresources, their sustainable use and conservation. It will also provide an opportunity to the young students to interact with leading scientists and experts from the field. The medium of instruction will be in English and Hindi. A brief about the above programme is enclosed herewith for your kind reference.

A National Level Science Program by GUJCOST in which students of age 10 to 17 may participate. In Kutch district, this program will be conducted by The Indian Planetary Society. There shall be two groups, 10 to 14 years - Junior and 14 to 17 years - Senior Group.

The main theme is Understanding of Weather and Climate. There are 6 sub-topics of it, which are given in the links below.

For more details please contact Mr. Akshay Malhotra, CEO, The Indian Planetary Society.

We are proud that one of our Life-Members, Mr. Bhargav Sola, an Engineering student from CHARUSAT has stood 3rd in National Level Competition in Car Racing Contest (the car also was made by him and his team) held at Chennai winning a Trophy and Rs. 1.50 lakhs in Prize.

Mr. Bhargav Sola is now aiming for International Competition to be held in Germany. IPS congratulates and wishes him all the best for this endeavour.